10.15.2012

our entry makeover & the Pantone top color for Spring

There are many areas of our home that need a total overhaul, (bathrooms) but sometimes you already have everything you need to make a fresh change!

We enter our house from the garage through a sad burgundy door and it's possible you could fall down the stairs to our basement, or walk over to our mudroom/laundry room area. If you follow me on Facebook then you already knew something was up with this space!

Here's the view:

LOVE my mirror. But overall not a very exciting or cheerful area. Yawn.

Here's the view of when you come in from the garage.

Nice? Right? You're loving the leaves stenciled on the wall? Well, you're in luck, because they are also stenciled on the stairs. ;-) There's nothing wrong with the white pendant light except that it's not a statement piece. And if you've been reading my blog for any period of time you know I have a penchant for great lighting.

Well, I have had this vintage pendant for months. I found it at Blue Door Antiques in Grand Rapids. After almost fainting because it was so perfect for me, I realized it was more than I wanted to spend. But then it went on sale and the price was right!

Originally I was waiting to have our electrician add a plug to our living room ceiling and install the pendant over my desk. But the more I thought about it, the more I was concerned the swagged cord would be too much visual clutter in our living room. Then I had one of those late night revelations. I could install it in our stairs!

I took the pendant to Grand Rapids Lighting (on 29th Street) and they hardwired this plug-in light for $15. Yes, you read that correctly. They are amazing. If you have any light that's not working for you, I highly recommend their services. And no, they don't pay me to say that, I just love what they do.

Thankfully I have the world's best electrician. It's not easy installing a light over a stairway! He had to balance one end of the ladder on the stairs and another against the wall. But Gary made lighting magic happen!

Voila! I can't tell you how happy it makes me to walk into our house a million times a day and see this light. My friend Kristen came over this week and said that our entry might be her favorite room in our house. ;-)

Then Jenny shared this fabulous enamel paint. The color is a gorgeous deep blue.

so excited that you hung that pendant which made my jaw drop the first time i saw it...love it!! the blue door is also gorgeous, and i'm sure it feels great to have a happy entryway! i also appreciate your GR tips/resources as they'll come in handy when i'm helping family/friends with projects there - thank you!

Abby Manchesky Interiors is a boutique design firm based in Grand Rapids, MI. Combining the new traditional, vintage and a dash of the unexpected is her ideal. Contact Abby Manchesky Interiors for more information on available interior design services for clients near and far. abbyminteriors@gmail.com | 616.719.9400